Creflo speaks on ‘intense’ discipline

While his 15-year-old daughter claimed that it wasn’t the first time her father was violent toward her, Creflo Dollar maintains that he did not try to choke his child.

"Raising children in our culture of disrespect is a challenge and the responsibility for all of us who are parents," Creflo said, addressing his congregation on Sunday. "I want you all to hear personally from me that all is well in the Dollar household."

Last Friday the Atlanta church leader was arrested and charged with battery and cruelty to children for allegedly slapping and choking the teen who wanted to attend a party.

"Like all of us who are parents, there are times when discipline and training our kids can become very intense," he said. "As a father raising five children, is going to bring a few challenges along the way. The truth is that a family conversation with our youngest daughter got emotional and emotions got involved and things escalated from there. The truth is she was not choked. She was not punched."

Creflo, who was released on $5,000 bail, was inundated with support and multiple standing ovations from the members of the World Changers Church in attendance.

Creflo pointed to a skin condition as the reason behind the abrasion on his daughter’s neck that was cited by Fayette County deputies as evidence of choking.

The pastor also said that he was “appalled” by the investigator’s lack of thoroughness in investigating the mark.

CBS noted that Creflo’s other daughter Alexandria initially corroborated her younger sister’s story, telling the deputy who interviewed her that Creflo grabbed the young teen’s shoulders, slapped her in the face and choked her for approximately five seconds.

The 19-year-old recanted her description of the events when her parents were outside in close proximity, but later gave the police a statement that matched her original account when interviewed again, away from her parents.

Alexandria lamented that this was not the first time an incident like this occurred.

When she initially reported the assault to the authorities, the 15-year-old told the operator, “It was not the first time it’s happened.”

Watch as Creflo addresses his congregation below.

—Jacob Rohn

Should parents physically discipline their children? Do you? Why or why not? Do you think Creflo choked his daughter? Leave your comments below?